Juliet I. Iwelunmo

Dr. Juliet Iwelunmor is a distinguished Professor of Medicine and the Associate Director for Global Health and Dissemination at Washington University School of Medicine. A thought leader in implementation science, health equity, and youth-centered public health innovation, Dr. Iwelunmor’s career has been characterized by her commitment to creating sustainable, community-driven health interventions that truly resonate with the people they aim to serve. With a deep understanding of how to embed and sustain evidence-based practices, her work transforms traditional public health models by integrating participatory research, storytelling, and youth empowerment. Her scholarly journey began at Penn State University, where she earned both a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies and a Ph.D. in Bio-behavioral Health and Demography. As a NICHD predoctoral scholar, she developed a unique approach to grant writing rooted in the philosophy of "beginning with a dream," a mindset that has contributed to securing over $20 million in NIH funding for innovative global health programs. Dr. Iwelunmor’s influence extends from academia to the global development community, including a formative tenure at UNESCO, where she served as a Program Specialist for the Culture Sector’s intersectoral HIV platform. Dr. Iwelunmor’s NIH-funded leadership includes programs like NIAID STAR, which increases access to HIV research experiences for underrepresented scholars, and 4 Youth By Youth and 4 Girls & Women, both of which center young people in the co-creation and sustainability of health interventions. These initiatives emphasize collaboration, cultural relevance, and adaptation to ensure lasting impact in resource-limited settings, particularly in Africa. With previous academic appointments at Saint Louis University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, she has consistently bridged research with mentorship and advocacy. Her scholarship and programmatic work have appeared in top-tier journals, often focusing on youth engagement in HIV prevention, sustainability science, and health communication strategies. A frequent recipient of awards recognizing both scholarly excellence and social justice advocacy, Dr. Iwelunmor continues to push the boundaries of what effective global health and dissemination science can achieve. Her work is as much about empowering the next generation of scholars as it is about transforming systems of care to reflect the lived experiences and voices of underserved populations.